The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1887-05-16

nights; and, as far as possible, the
diurnal range OF these elements; also
to de,ermine the hight of clouds aud
their formation. Sp pscial observation
will be made OF the formation oi
thunder clouds, and | hope that We
may meet with first cas- storm A
careful record will bs made of all ap-
pearances of lightning and sound OF
thunder, the velocity OF the upper
currents, and the appearsncea and color
of the SUM-"
THE NEW CIVIL SERVICE RULES AND
REGULATIONS
are causing the clerks in the classified
grades much uneasiuess. Those who
were supposed to have had the great
est amount OF confidence in their own
ability to undergo an examina alton are
fretling the most at the prospect OF
being summoned before board Of
examiners Clerks who heretofore
have been continual applicants for
promotion, and who have importuned
Congressman and others supposed to
WELD any inhuauce on their own bs-
half, now dec are that they are per-
fectly contentsd in their present posi-
tions, and only ask to be let alone.
The impression prevails in Official cir.
eles that the new y adopted regula-
tions are nothing more than a delib-
crate and carefu ly devised scheme to
displace such persons as are now in
Office who are 30 strongly indorsed
that they cannot be reached by
any other means. Some OF those
whom 1t is desired t. dismiss may as,
tonish their pureue q by passing a
first class examination. Promotions,
it is now prescribed, shall be from
class to class in regular ordor, and ''all
persons in the class Immediately be.
low the class to which prom otions are
to be made muet bs exa niaon for nro.
motion" 1t is not optional with q
clerk whether hs shall or shall not bs
examined; he must undergo the test,
This requirement has practiesl eff G,
given it by the following regulations:
"Per5ons who fail TO obtain the mini.
mum grade of eligibility to promotion
shall be re-examined after the ex oira.
tion OF six months, end il they then
again fail TO pass may be reduced TO a
lower class or dismissad from the ser.
vice" The importance of these regu-
lations, taken together, is obvious.
They provide for the elimination from
the service, after six or eight months,
Of the incorrigibly bad material in.
Jected into it under the spoils system
as II hourished before and during the |
Arthur administration. The govern.
ment's employees are not to be taken
by surprise under the new rules; they |
are to have two trials. But if, after
the efcsnd, they still fail to
show the ability to win tho mini
mum mark of sevsnH-fve, they
cannot fairly insist that ihe govern
ment needs their services AZ respects
those who pass the examinations sue
osssiully, they are TO be promoted as
lhe discretion OF the head of the bu.
-eau. That is to say, the whole li,t of
sligibles will be certified to the pro.
noting power, and not four names
lnly, as in the case with appointments.
Commissioner Lyman states tha. he
would have prefe red to certify but
eur names flr promotion, but he was
'Verruled in this matter by the Demo.
ratio members OF the Commission.
taking the new rules as they stand,
1r. Lyman is of opinion that they
will do more toward perfecting the
ervice than anything that has been
lone since the passage OF the civil ser.
ice act" This is not, however, it
ppears, the view OF many OF the per-
ous who will be affected by them.
here is considerable opposition to
hem from clerks, who cay they can
ot hope to compete for promotion
nth new clerks fresh from their
ooks. Commissioner 0berly makes
sp!ly to this contention that the OK /,
Mutations are not 10 be Technical and :
no person who,is competent will be =
eprlved OF promotion by these rules.
hey will operate only aeainet the in =
and unfit" :
SUNDAY LAVE. /
The Baltimore clergymen have been 1
gitatinR the subject OF more proper
oservance Of Sunday in the army for
'me time. They have writ en- 8 C
ng letter to the President, which has g
cen referred to the War Department. a
en- sheridanlwrote the following in h
1rsement on the letter: "rhis is q SUBJ n
ct which has BEEN discussed at inter X
lls ior many yearP. Ny predecessor, Il
en- sherman, made several report, h
Id MS recommendations were uni b
rmly sustained by the Secretary OF n
'sr' In his correspondence Gen.
leImsn fully expressed my views, as
believe, and Of almost &ll the officers
the army. Some construe the
venth day to begin With the setting re
the sun on the sixth day; others at "
idnlght, and some others on the "
'usnce OF the sun on the seventh tr
y; bnt all sgree thst one day in b,
ven should be secure from work. CT
1t Christ himself repreved the Jews dt
their too literal construction OF m
9 commandment wb,eh had been
force tor thousands 5f years, and N
q came on earth as fedeemer and n
former. He bade them take the ass 4,
i oil the ditch and 10 gather their n,
rn on the Sabbath day, aud many CT
1er things which had been prohibit. re
oy their too rigid and literal con. n,
uction OF their religions code Now, CT
ppose sailors on the ocean were to
use to trim their sails on Sunday, ! y